November 15 – HELENA, Mont. – Republicans who serve in the upcoming Senate met Tuesday and chose Senate leadership for the upcoming 2025 legislative session.
Senate Republicans chose Sen. Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, as the next Senate president. Regier served as Speaker of the House during the 2023 legislative session.
“It is an honor to serve as the next Senate President,” Regier said. “I look forward to working with Senators to pass a conservative balanced budget, provide tax relief to Montanans and preserve the Montana way of life for generations to come.”
Republican senators elected Sen. Ken Bogner, R-Miles City, as the next Senate President Pro Tempore, who can be thought of as the Senate’s “vice president.” Bogner also served as Pro Tempore for the 2023 session and is a veteran of the US Marine Corps.
“I am excited to continue my role as President Pro Tempore,” said Bogner. “It is a privilege to serve the people of Montana and help make the 2025 Legislature productive and successful for our constituents.”
Senate Republicans chose Sen. Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, as their majority leader. McGillvray previously served as House Majority Leader during the 2011 session.
“I am honored to have the support of my fellow Republicans and I look forward to advancing our conservative agenda, which the people of Montana overwhelmingly supported on Election Day,” McGillvray said. “We will continue to work hard to make Montana the freest and most fiscally responsible state in the republic.”
Republican senators also elected Sens. Dennis Lenz, Barry Usher, Sue Vinton, and Daniel Zolnikov as Majority Whips and elected senators to serve on the Committee on Committees, the Senate leadership committee charged with making committee assignments.
Lenz and Usher served as Senate whips during the 2023 session. Vinton was majority leader in the House of Representatives and Zolnikov served on the House Committee on Committees during the 2023 session.
Lawmakers from both parties in both the House of Representatives and the Senate will continue to meet at the State Capitol this week to complete committee assignments, participate in legislative orientation and prepare for the upcoming legislative session.
Montana’s 69th Legislature will be sworn in and begin its next legislative session on January 6, 2025.
